Leinster target better discipline

6 March 2009 10:56am

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Hooker Bernard Jackman is the only change from the Leinster side that defeated the Scarlets 31-17 last time out, for tonight's Magners League clash against the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium (KO: 7.05pm).

Jackman lines up in a strong pack for the trip to Swansea while Irish international Gordon D'Arcy continues his centre partnership with Fergus McFadden, with Shane Horgan forming an exciting back three alongside Isa Nacewa and Girvan Dempsey.

In the pack skipper Shane Jennings and Cameron Jowitt - both try scorers in Llanelli - again start in the back-row alongside Rocky Elsom. Chris Whitaker and Sean O'Brien have recovered from injury to take their places amongst the replacements.

Leinster skipper Shane Jennings said: "The victory in Llanelli was a very important result and it showed that with Munster also winning, you have to keep the pressure on the teams around you. It was great to see a number of the younger players step up to the mark and what they may have lacked in experience, they more than made up for in enthusiasm.

"It is vital that the squad remains competitive and that we're constantly challenging each other in training. With that in mind, training has been extremely sharp since the Llanelli win. There were some good individual displays that night, but we know that we have to improve our discipline.

"I enjoyed captaining the team against Llanelli, but with so many leaders in the dressing-room, the role isn't as prominent nowadays. If I feel that there's something that needs to be said, I'll say it, but there are a number of leaders who will speak up. The important thing is that there is collective responsibility and that we're heading together in the same direction as a team.

"Tonight's game is another game that we have to win. There's the danger that if we slip up that Munster will have an opportunity to put daylight between the other teams. So we will have to be focused and treat the Ospreys with the respect they deserve.

"Even though they are hampered by the unavailability of a few of their international players, they still have a quality squad. They have a powerful pack, a fearsome back-row and a dangerous backline and irrespective of the team that will line out, it will be a tough battle.

"We are one of a few teams in contention and retaining our title, coupled with the fear of drifting away from the leaders, is a massive incentive for us.

"We need to keep on upping our intensity on big weeks like this and there's an awareness (in the squad) that even though we won the last time out, there's no guarantee that we'll get the same result without a positive approach."

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